DATE=4/13/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-248007
TITLE=INDIA/POLITICS (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN INDIA, POLITICAL PARTIES ARE PLOTTING STRATEGIES AFTER
AN ALLY OF THE HINDU-NATIONALIST GOVERNMENT DECLARED IT WILL
LEAVE THE RULING COALITION. OPPOSITION GROUPS WANT TO FORM A NEW
GOVERNMENT -- BUT HINDU NATIONALISTS INSIST THE COALITION THEY
LEAD WILL SURVIVE. ANJANA PASRICHA HAS A REPORT ON THE LATEST
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS.
TEXT: SEVERAL OPPOSITION PARTIES, INCLUDING SOCIALISTS,
COMMUNISTS AND REGIONAL GROUPS, HELD SEVERAL MEETINGS IN THE
INDIAN CAPITAL (TUESDAY) TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF FORMING AN
ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT IF THE "BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY"-LED
COALITION COLLAPSES.
THE B-J-P GOVERNMENT'S SURVIVAL IS AT STAKE DUE TO A CRUCIAL
ALLY'S DECISION TO BREAK AWAY. THE ESTRANGED ALLY, JAYARAM
JAYALALITHA, IS ALSO MEETING PROSPECTIVE NEW POLITICAL PARTNERS.
BUT THE FRONTRUNNER IN THE RACE TO LEAD A NEW GOVERNMENT -- THE
MAIN OPPOSITION "CONGRESS PARTY" -- IS GIVING NO CLEAR
INDICATIONS OF ITS INTENTIONS. THE CONGRESS PARTY IS THE
SECOND-LARGEST PARTY IN PARLIAMENT AFTER THE B-J-P.
SENIOR CONGRESS LEADER, ARJUN SINGH, SAYS HIS PARTY IS WAITING
FOR EVENTS TO UNFOLD BEFORE IT MAKES A MOVE.
/// INSERT SINGH ACT ///
WE ARE NOT INTERESTED IN TOPPLING THE GOVERNMENT, AND IF
THIS COALITION COLLAPSES UNDER THE WEIGHT OF ITS OWN
CONTRADICTIONS, THE CONGRESS PARTY WILL FULFILL ITS
CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATIONS.
/// END SINGH ACT ///
POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAY THE FRAGMENTED PARLIAMENT WILL MAKE IT
DIFFICULT FOR OPPOSITION PARTIES TO PUT TOGETHER A GOVERNMENT.
MORE THAN 45 GROUPS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE 545-MEMBER
LEGISLATURE. THE CONGRESS PARTY CONTROLS A LITTLE MORE THAN
ONE-QUARTER OF THE SEATS IN PARLIAMENT.
POLITICAL ANALYST, AJAY MEHRA, FROM THE CENTER OF POLICY
RESEARCH, SAYS CONGRESS LEADERS APPEAR TO BE HESITANT ABOUT
FORMING A NEW GOVERNMENT BECAUSE ANY GOVERNMENT THEY MAKE WILL BE
EXTREMELY VULNERABLE.
/// INSERT MEHRA ACT ///
THE LEVEL OF CONFIDENCE WITHIN THE CONGRESS YOU SEE I
THINK IS VERY LOW. AND I THINK THIS LACK OF CONFIDENCE
OR LOW CONFIDENCE LEVEL IS BASED ON THE POLITICAL
ARITHMETIC WHERE THEY MAY FORM THE GOVERNMENT -- BUT
WHETHER THEY WILL BE ABLE TO RUN IT -- THAT IS THE
QUESTION.
/// END MEHRA ACT ///
MEANWHILE, B-J-P LEADERS SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO WIN THE SUPPORT
OF POLITICAL GROUPS NOT IN THE COALITION -- BUT WHO STAUNCHLY
OPPOSE A CONGRESS-LED GOVERNMENT. THEY ALSO HOPE MANY LAWMAKERS
WANTING TO PREVENT FRESH ELECTIONS MAY SUPPORT THE COALITION.
(SIGNED)
NEB/AP/LTD/RAE
13-Apr-99 9:40 AM EDT (1340 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.